Published: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 11:29 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 11:29 a.m.

One of two men shot by a patron during an attempted robbery last summer at an Internet café in Ocala was sentenced Tuesday to four years in prison and four years of probation.

During the sentencing hearing Judge Robert Hodges told Davis Dawkins, 20, that he was lucky he was only charged with one count of attempted robbery with a deadly weapon and criminal mischief, as opposed to 32 counts of attempted robbery with a deadly weapon, which would have seen him facing 20 years or more. Hodges told Dawkins he was lucky to be alive and that he wished he would have listened to the people in his church, who earlier spoke on his behalf.

In addition to the sentence, Dawkins also has to pay restitution and court costs, and cannot have any contact with his accomplice, Duwayne Henderson, or the 32 people who were in the Palms Internet Cafe at 8444 SW State Road 200 the night of July 13, 2012.

A remorseful Dawkins, who was wearing black pants and a maroon shirt and matching tie, said he felt bad when he learned that glass from one of the machines he had smashed with a bat had hurt a patron. He apologized to his family and friends, and told the court he didn't mean to rob the place.

Dawkins said he and Henderson were driving by the building one day when he mentioned a dislike for some of the people who worked there and made a joke about wanting to rob them. He said that about two weeks later, Henderson asked him if he wanted to rob the business and was asking him questions about the café because he used to work there. Dawkins said he agreed to do it, and the plan was for him to carry a bat while Henderson would be armed with a gun.

The night they went to rob the cafe, a patron shot Dawkins in the arm and chest as he and Henderson, who was also shot, ran outside.

Dawkins said doctors told him if the bullet to his chest had been closer to one of his main arteries, he could have died.

Dawkins' attorney, David Mengers, asked the court to consider his client as a youthful offender and not give him prison time because he had no prior record, was remorseful, is not a danger to the public and had taken responsibility for his action.

Assistant State Attorney Toby Hunt countered by saying that while Dawkins is a nice young man, choices have consequences and he chose to go through with the robbery. He said it was a serious offense and recommended five years in prison and five years of probation.

Before Dawkins was sentenced, several people spoke on his behalf. His mother and stepfather both classified his action as out of character and said he has a bright future and is attending college.

Austin Tucker, the senior pastor at Victory Baptist Church in Summerfield, where Dawkins goes to church, said Dawkins is involved in the music program and that he has known him since he was 6-years-old. Tucker called him a “good boy” and said he doesn't think he is a danger to the community.

Tucker's son, Kendall, said Dawkins is very loyal and has always been there for him.

Henderson's case is on-going, court records show.

Samuel Williams, 71, who fired the shots, has a concealed weapons permit, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Not long after the incident took place, Bill Gladson of the State Attorney’s Office said, “Based on what I have seen and what I know at this time, I don’t anticipate filing any charges.”

Under Florida law, a person is allowed to use deadly force if he or she fears death or serious injury to themselves or others. As long as the person is not committing a crime and is in a place where he or she has a right to be, they are considered to be acting within the law.

<p>One of two men shot by a patron during an attempted robbery last summer at an Internet café in Ocala was sentenced Tuesday to four years in prison and four years of probation.</p><p>During the sentencing hearing Judge Robert Hodges told Davis Dawkins, 20, that he was lucky he was only charged with one count of attempted robbery with a deadly weapon and criminal mischief, as opposed to 32 counts of attempted robbery with a deadly weapon, which would have seen him facing 20 years or more. Hodges told Dawkins he was lucky to be alive and that he wished he would have listened to the people in his church, who earlier spoke on his behalf.</p><p>In addition to the sentence, Dawkins also has to pay restitution and court costs, and cannot have any contact with his accomplice, Duwayne Henderson, or the 32 people who were in the Palms Internet Cafe at 8444 SW State Road 200 the night of July 13, 2012.</p><p>A remorseful Dawkins, who was wearing black pants and a maroon shirt and matching tie, said he felt bad when he learned that glass from one of the machines he had smashed with a bat had hurt a patron. He apologized to his family and friends, and told the court he didn't mean to rob the place.</p><p>Dawkins said he and Henderson were driving by the building one day when he mentioned a dislike for some of the people who worked there and made a joke about wanting to rob them. He said that about two weeks later, Henderson asked him if he wanted to rob the business and was asking him questions about the café because he used to work there. Dawkins said he agreed to do it, and the plan was for him to carry a bat while Henderson would be armed with a gun.</p><p>The night they went to rob the cafe, a patron shot Dawkins in the arm and chest as he and Henderson, who was also shot, ran outside.</p><p>Dawkins said doctors told him if the bullet to his chest had been closer to one of his main arteries, he could have died.</p><p>Dawkins' attorney, David Mengers, asked the court to consider his client as a youthful offender and not give him prison time because he had no prior record, was remorseful, is not a danger to the public and had taken responsibility for his action.</p><p>Assistant State Attorney Toby Hunt countered by saying that while Dawkins is a nice young man, choices have consequences and he chose to go through with the robbery. He said it was a serious offense and recommended five years in prison and five years of probation.</p><p>Before Dawkins was sentenced, several people spoke on his behalf. His mother and stepfather both classified his action as out of character and said he has a bright future and is attending college.</p><p>Austin Tucker, the senior pastor at Victory Baptist Church in Summerfield, where Dawkins goes to church, said Dawkins is involved in the music program and that he has known him since he was 6-years-old. Tucker called him a “good boy” and said he doesn't think he is a danger to the community.</p><p>Tucker's son, Kendall, said Dawkins is very loyal and has always been there for him.</p><p>Henderson's case is on-going, court records show.</p><p>Samuel Williams, 71, who fired the shots, has a concealed weapons permit, according to the Sheriff's Office. Not long after the incident took place, Bill Gladson of the State Attorney's Office said, “Based on what I have seen and what I know at this time, I don't anticipate filing any charges.”</p><p>Under Florida law, a person is allowed to use deadly force if he or she fears death or serious injury to themselves or others. As long as the person is not committing a crime and is in a place where he or she has a right to be, they are considered to be acting within the law.</p><p><i>Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.</i></p>